At Thompsons, this matters to us because many of us are cyclists too. As Thompsons Solicitors' Natalie Harvey explains, we understand the enjoyment, independence and freedom that cycling can bring, but we also understand the vulnerability that comes with sharing road space with larger, heavier and faster vehicles. 

That is why safer roads for cyclists should matter to everyone. They are not just a cycling issue. They are a road safety issue, a public health issue and a community issue. Everyone should be able to travel actively and sustainably without feeling that serious injury is an accepted risk of the journey. 

 

Cyclists are vulnerable because the consequences are unequal 

A collision between a car and a cyclist is not an equal event. A driver is protected by the structure of a vehicle, airbags, seatbelts and technology designed to reduce injury. A cyclist has very little physical protection. Even at relatively low speeds, the impact can cause serious injury. 

The physical injuries may be immediate: fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, soft tissue injuries, scarring or psychological trauma. But the wider impact can last much longer. A serious cycling collision can affect someone’s ability to work, care for their family, travel independently, enjoy hobbies or feel safe on the road again. Families often feel the consequences too, particularly where they have to provide care, support or reassurance during recovery. 

That is why the language of “minor collisions” or “just an accident” can be so unhelpful. For the person injured, the consequences may be anything but minor. Many road collisions are preventable, and reducing road danger requires all road users to recognise the harm that can be caused by a moment’s inattention. 

Driver responsibility is central to cyclist safety 

The Highway Code’s hierarchy of road users makes clear that those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others. That principle is important because it reflects the reality of road risk. It does not remove the need for cyclists to ride responsibly, but it does place clear responsibility on drivers to take proper care around people who are more exposed. 

In practical terms, that means giving cyclists enough space when overtaking, slowing down where necessary, checking carefully at junctions, avoiding close passes, looking before opening car doors and being patient where it is not safe to pass. It also means understanding that cyclists may need to ride away from the kerb or take a more central position in the lane to avoid hazards, improve visibility or travel safely through a junction. 

Driver distraction remains one of the clearest dangers. Checking a phone, scrolling through music, taking a photograph or sending a message may only take seconds, but for a cyclist those seconds can be catastrophic. Road safety laws must continue to keep pace with how people actually use technology, including the ongoing work in Northern Ireland to strengthen the law on hand-held mobile phone use while driving. 

Awareness is not enough unless it changes behaviour 

Campaigns that ask people to “share the road” are important, but awareness must translate into safer behaviour. Cyclists need drivers to anticipate their presence, see them at junctions, leave proper passing distance and recognise that road conditions which may be a minor inconvenience in a car can be a serious hazard on a bike. 

Better awareness also means challenging myths. Cyclists do not always have to use cycle lanes, particularly where they are unsafe, blocked, poorly maintained or unsuitable for the journey. A cyclist who was not wearing a helmet is not automatically prevented from bringing a claim. Liability after a collision depends on the evidence and the circumstances. These points matter because myths can discourage injured people from seeking advice and can also reinforce unfair assumptions about cyclists. 

If we want more people to choose active travel, we need a culture in which cycling feels normal, respected and safe. That requires better infrastructure, effective enforcement, responsible driving and clear public messaging. It also requires us to listen to cyclists about what helps them feel safe on the road. 

When things go wrong, early support matters 

After a serious cycling collision, the immediate focus is often on physical injury, but recovery is rarely just medical. People may need rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychological support, help with transport, workplace adjustments, care, equipment or adaptations at home. Some need support to return to cycling; others need help rebuilding confidence simply to cross the road or travel independently. 

Specialist legal advice can play an important role in securing the right support at the right time. Compensation matters, but so does access to rehabilitation, practical help and a legal team that understands both the injury and the person behind the claim. 

For many injured cyclists, the goal is not only to resolve a claim. It is to recover as far as possible, regain independence, return to work, support their family and feel safe again. That is why the right support can make such a difference. 

Safer roads benefit everyone 

Safer roads for cyclists do not only benefit cyclists. They create safer streets for pedestrians, children, older people, disabled people, runners, motorcyclists and drivers too. They support healthier communities, reduce pressure on emergency services and help make active travel a realistic choice for more people. 

National Road Victim Month is a time to remember those killed or seriously injured on our roads, but it should also be a call to reduce road danger. We should not accept preventable harm as inevitable. We should expect roads, laws, enforcement and behaviour to protect those most at risk. 

At Thompsons, we stand with injured cyclists and vulnerable road users. We understand their passion because many of us share it. We understand the risks because we see their consequences. And we believe that every cyclist — whether commuting, training, riding with family or simply enjoying the road — deserves to get home safely.